Wild Birds Unlimited of Syosset is not just a retail store. We believe in advocating for wildlife conservation through education and outreach.  

In addition to our in-store nature programs, we are available to visit your location to present programs in order to connect even more people to nature!

Programs Available:

Why Birds Matter, The Threats They Face, How We Can Help

The New York Times, Washington Post, NBC News and countless other news outlets recently headlined the devastating news that since 1970 we have lost 29% of our bird populations. According to the 2019 “State of the Birds Report”, that’s just about THREE BILLION birds. But why should we even care? And what can we do to help? This up-to-date 1.5 hour program will explain why birds matter, the perils they face, and how we can, as individuals and communities, work together to help protect them.

 

Gardening for Biodiversity by Creating Backyard Habitats and Living Landscapes

This 1.5 hour program explains why it is important to landscape for birds and other wildlife, along with tips for creating backyard habitats that include food, shelter and nesting spots. You'll also learn the basics of designing and choosing plants for your wildlife sanctuary.  

 

Owls of Long Island

Owls are charismatic and beloved birds that just happen to be formidable and skilled hunters. This program will discuss the various owls that call Long Island home ias well as the amazing adaptations that make them such remarkable predators. We’ll also touch on some of the legends and lore that surround this group of raptors.

 

The Birds in Your Backyard

Long Island is home to numerous bird species, from the majestic bald eagle to tiny hummingbirds. What birds can you expect to see in your backyard?  What’s the difference between purple and house finches? How can you tell nuthatches apart? How can you determine if you’re looking at a male or female bird? We will help you learn to identify the various species of birds visiting our feeders in this 1 hour program.  

 

Attracting Birds to Your Yard Through Bird Feeding Mastery

From tiny hummingbirds, chickadees, nuthatches and titmice to heftier cardinals,  orioles and woodpeckers, we all have the chance to experience the joy of feeding birds and watching their delightful antics wherever we live. How do we attract these birds? What are the best feeders to set up? The best food to use?  How can we deter other hungry critters that seem determined to eat us out of house and home? This 1.5 hour program will guide you through all you need to know in order to attract birds to your yard through bird feeding. 

 

The Wonderful World of Woodpeckers

The forests and woodlands of Long Island provide ideal habitat for six woodpecker species, five of which breed here, and one other which passes through as a regular migrant, especially in the fall. This 1 hour program will educate us about the various species of woodpeckers that call Long Island home, as well as answer that age old question, “Why don’t woodpeckers get headaches?”.

 

Email us to discuss booking a program at your venue!

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Check out reviews of these programs here!

About the speaker:

Stella Miller, Conservation, Education and Outreach Manager at Wild Birds Unlimited, is the former president of Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon, a position she held for over ten years. Since 2006, Stella has spearheaded conservation advocacy efforts such as a national “Save Our Raptors” campaign, “Long Island to Guatemala:The Avian Connection” partnership, and a Bird Friendly Communities Initiative which included designing a native demonstration garden at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. She is also the co- founder of the Preserve Plum Island Coalition.

 While at Audubon she coordinated habitat restoration projects in three local preserves with her volunteer group, the Habitat Heroes. After creating a Youth Outreach Committee, Stella mentored teenagers, teaching these teens the valuable skills they needed to become community leaders themselves. She created a “Bridging the Generation Gap: Connecting Teens and Seniors Through Nature” program which was implemented in various nursing homes. Believing in the critical need to form collaborations and build bridges, she worked with other community organizations as well as stakeholders on a state, county and town level, in order to protect our natural areas. 

 She is a recipient of the Norman Stotz Award for Outstanding Chapter Leadership, awarded by Audubon New York, was honored as one of the Oyster Bay Historical Society’s “Top Advocates for Historic Preservation and Education” for her dedication to preserving Long Island’s natural history and in 2016 was recognized by the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce for her work on behalf of Audubon.